Jonathon is an incarcerated poet who uses his writing to confront the pain, trauma, and despair of prison life, while also seeking healing and hope. Through his poetry collection, a book, Through the Pen, he humanizes the incarcerated experience, offering a glimpse into the strength and resilience that can exist behind bars. His book has been a personal lifeline, helping him through challenges and guiding him toward self-discovery as a college student and practicing Muslim. Jonathon hopes his words will inspire others, allowing them to see beyond the prison walls and find peace and understanding.
Sunshine
Have you ever seen the sunshine shining
Inside a prison cell?
As you watch the same mailman go cell to cell,
When you are waiting on legal mail
That never comes, it never fails.
Have you ever seen suicidal prisoners,
Captives, victims of circumstance,
Kill themselves, without giving life
A second chance? I have.
I’ve seen people give up hope,
Give in to urges, lean on dope,
Act like they’re fine, laugh and joke,
Then get in to their cell alone
And swallow pills until they choke.
It’s a tragedy, but that’s because sunshine
Doesn’t shine inside a prison cell.
Sunshine doesn’t reach its hands down
And reach into the grasps of hell.
Save me. This is where I reside,
My vacation home in despair,
Waiting to be freed from this place,
To feel the sunshine on my face,
To drive down the open road,
Free from my past.
I’m losing hope, just let me go.
Have you ever seen the sunshine shining
Inside a prison cell?
You couldn’t have
Because sunshine doesn’t shine underground,
In the depths of hell.
Remember that.
Trauma
I lock up my trauma in a box,
In the back of my mind.
Maybe one day, I’ll visit it
One day, one time.
Maybe I’ll learn how to cope,
How to deal with loss.
Maybe inside that box,
I’ll uncover a fresh start.
But I’m scared of what’s inside.
Honestly, I’m torn.
How can I mourn
When I fear opening that door?
I don’t know how to feel
The feelings I feel.
I don’t know if this pain is fake,
Or if it’s real.
What will I find when I unlock it?
When I face that box I always lock?
I’m scared of what’s inside,
A capsule lost in time,
Sealed away
A box full of trauma,
In the back of my mind.
The Epitome
When I think of the epitome of a woman,
It’s you who comes to mind.
You draw me in,
Leave me breathless
Like jumping from a plane
Without a parachute.
You ravage my thoughts,
Enthrall my heart,
Seduce my soul,
Corrupt my thinking.
You leave me mesmerized, speechless,
And your loyalty shines
Like a beacon,
Placing you mountains ahead of others.
Your compassion and drive excites me,
Leaving me wanting more.
A beauty unknown
You don’t truly know your worth
How beautiful you really are.
You are everything to me,
The epitome of a woman.
